The most powerful version of the recently introduced Chrysler 300 is here. This is the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 introduced at the 2011 New York Auto Show today, a machine that not only is more powerful than the 300C SRT8, but is also way more refined, and you might not have guessed it but is also more efficient in terms of fuel consumption.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is powered by the automaker's new Pentastar 6.4-litre Hemi V8 which produces 465 HP and 465 lb-ft of torque, which means an increase of 40 HP over the old 6.1-litre Hemi V8. Power will be sent to the wheels through the same 5-speed automatic transmission, but in this case operated by steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, and even though the final performance figures are not mentioned yet, Chrysler says the new 300 SRT8 will sprint from nought to 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds and will reach a top speed of 175 mph.

As with most of the sports cars out there, fuel economy is sacrificed in the name of performance, but with the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 customers will actually notice a 25 percent increase in efficiency so we should see what that means when the official consumption figures get released.

Other new features on the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 include an Adaptive Damping Suspension which 'reads' the road in order to provide various details to the driver such as speed, steering angle, steering speed, brake torque, throttle position and accelerations (lateral and vertical) and which can also adapt according to the surface on which the car runs on.

The new 300 SRT8 is also fitted with big brakes (14.2 inch discs at the front and 13.8 inch discs at the back) that use 4-piston calipers from Brembo, so when pressing the brake pedal at a speed of 60 mph, the 4,046 pounds sedan will require 120 feet in order to come to a full stop.

The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT will hit the market in the third quarter of 2011, with pricing expected to be announced as the on sale date gets closer.